What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
Parents across the Northwoods face a troubling reality: their kids spend hours online, but the internet isn’t just homework and games anymore. The Forest County Potawatomi Community is stepping up with direct guidance to help families in Laona, Wabeno, Crandon, and surrounding Forest County towns protect children from a growing threat called sextortion.
Chris Kalata, a Grant Support Specialist working with FCPC, sees the cases firsthand. “We work directly with law enforcement and we see cases in Laona, Wabeno, Crandon and other parts of the county as well,” he explained during a recent community presentation.
The numbers tell a harsh story. Between 2021 and 2023, the FBI documented over 13,000 children affected by sextortion nationwide. More than 35 kids have died because of it.
Sextortion works differently than most online dangers parents worry about. Someone manipulates a child or teen into sharing sexual images, then uses those images as leverage — demanding money, gift cards, or more explicit content.
It’s blackmail, plain and simple. And it’s happening in our small towns.
The isolation of rural Northwoods communities creates unique vulnerabilities. Limited broadband oversight means fewer safeguards. Kids in towns like Laona — population around 600 — can connect with predators anywhere in the world, but local law enforcement resources remain stretched thin across Forest County’s 736 square miles.
That’s where FCPC’s collaboration matters. Their Family Resource Center partners directly with county law enforcement to track cases and teach prevention strategies that actually work in small-town settings.
Kalata emphasized that behavioral changes usually show up before parents discover what’s happening online. Watch for these red flags:
These signs don’t guarantee sextortion, but they signal something’s wrong. Trust your gut as a parent — you know your kid better than anyone.
“We are begging parents not to punish your children, don’t punish them, support them. Let them know you love them and that you’re here to help them.” — Chris Kalata, FCPC Grant Support Specialist
Here’s the hard part: most children won’t come forward on their own. They’re terrified of getting in trouble.
Maybe they sent something they shouldn’t have. Maybe they lied about their age on an app. Maybe they’re embarrassed beyond words. Fear of punishment keeps them silent while the situation spirals.
Kalata’s message to Northwoods parents is clear: your child is the victim, not the criminal. Whatever choices led to this moment matter less than getting them safe right now.
“We’re all human we all make mistakes, moms and dads make mistakes, too, but we don’t want to see a child hurt themselves,” Kalata stressed. That perspective could save your kid’s life.
FCPC isn’t just talking about the problem — they’re building solutions into existing programs. Their Family Resource Center runs parent support groups covering 21st-century parenting challenges, including online safety.
The CHOICES after-school program meets Mondays through Thursdays at the Community Center, focusing on at-risk youth prevention. Parenting cafes offer judgment-free spaces where moms and dads can discuss everything from family dynamics to preventing risky behaviors.
These programs serve FCPC’s 1,400 tribal members plus surrounding non-Native residents throughout Forest County. As the region’s largest employer, the tribe channels gaming revenues into health, education, and wellness programs that address real community needs — like keeping kids safe in an increasingly digital world.
Don’t wait for a crisis to start the conversation. Open communication matters more than monitoring software or screen time limits.
Talk to your kids about sextortion directly. Explain how predators operate. Make it clear that if something goes wrong online, coming to you won’t result in losing their phone or being grounded forever.
Create a family agreement about online behavior. Know which apps they’re using. Follow them on social media (even if they roll their eyes). Check privacy settings together.
And if you suspect something’s already happening, reach out immediately. FCPC’s Family Resource Center can connect you with law enforcement partners who understand both the crime and the Northwoods context where it’s occurring.
The Northwoods has always protected its own. That tradition extends to keeping our kids safe online, even when the threats come from hundreds of miles away through a screen no bigger than a deck of cards.
Written by
Mike has been coming up or living in the Northwoods since his childhood. He is also an avid outdoorsman, writer and supper club aficionado.
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